The Aeronaut's Windlass

The Cinder Spires, Book 1

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: Euan Morton

Jim Butcher, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files and the Codex Alera novels, conjures up a new series set in a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, and magic-wielding warriors. . . .

Since time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity. Within their halls, the ruling aristocratic houses develop scientific marvels, foster trade alliances, and maintain fleets of airships to keep the peace.

Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship Predator. Loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy’s shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels. But when the Predator is damaged in combat, Grimm joins a team of Albion agents on a vital mission in exchange for fully restoring his ship.

And as Grimm undertakes this task, he learns that the conflict between the Spires is merely a premonition of things to come. Humanity’s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake. . . .

Critic reviews

“So Jim Butcher is writing futuristic dystopian steampunk? You had me at Jim Butcher, actually. But the rest is cool too....Great action scenes, a fascinating world, and characters of a sort I've never seen before. Yup. This is everything I’ve come to expect from Jim Butcher, but in a delightful new flavor.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss

“Wow. Just wow. Beware fellow readers, herein lies adventure that will keep you from food or rest…It is as if Jules Verne, H. Rider Haggard, Patrick O’Brien and...well, Jim Butcher all got together and wrote a book. Steampunk done very, very right. Butcher proves yet again that he is an amazing storyteller.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs

“This is Jim Butcher at his best, drawing a fully realized, richly detailed, and downright fun literary world where fearless aeronauts ride the aether, brilliant wizards struggle with doorknobs, and a thirty-pound feline warrior keeps a pet human named Little Mouse. It’s steampunk meets magic with a dose of sci-fi for seasoning. Buy it and read it. You’ll be glad you did.”—New York Times bestselling author David Weber

“Butcher opens the imaginative Cinder Spires series with this sweeping fantastical epic...[It's] a fascinating, adventurous, and intricate story. Butcher brings a fresh and exciting perspective to secondary-world steampunk, giving the reader a thrilling ride.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Butcher, the bestselling author of the Dresden Files, now launches the Cinder Spires, a new epic fantasy, steampunk hybrid series that has shades of both Naomi Novik and Cherie Priest...With shifting points of view, short chapters, fast-paced action, and awesome battle scenes, the large cast of characters, elaborate world building, and intricate plot are revealed quickly and realized fully. It all reminds readers of when they first fell for Harry Dresden.”—Booklist (starred review)

“[Butcher] blends familiar steampunk and fantasy elements (airships, wizardry, and heroes from a monarch’s guard) in a fresh and wonderful way that results in a fantastic ride. This should well satisfy fans of fantasy, sf, or their stepchild steampunk.”—Library Journal (starred review)

First Jim Butcher but not my last...

What made the experience of listening to The Aeronaut's Windlass the most enjoyable?

The narrator is excellent. I look forward to listening to other books he has done.

What other book might you compare The Aeronaut's Windlass to and why?

It's definitely an adventure with lots of battles. There wasn't much time to catch one's breath. I would say it's a lot like Star Wars in comparison.

What does Euan Morton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Like other wonderful audio books, a great narration brings the book to life in ways that are different from just reading the words. Characters personality and traits are expressed and become almost tangible.

Any additional comments?

I haven't read much Steampunk so it's hard to compare it to anything in that genre, but I will look forward to readying the the sequels. And I LOVED the cats! I have 4 myself and I believe Jim's characterization of them was spot on!

another great series from Butcher!

this is the first time I've read a steampunk style book, and while I'll read anything Jim Butcher writes, I wasn't totally sure what to expect. I absolutely loved the blend of post-apocalyptic, fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk and adventure in this series! the characters were all complex and fascinating. I especially loved the cat's perspective! such an interesting viewpoint to show readers. I adore Grim and am SO curious about what really went down when he was in the fleet. every single character pulls you in and the overall story is expertly crafted. I can't wait for the next book in the series :)

simply the best

if you're a fan of Jim butcher's work you're going to love this I was a little bit thrown at first by the different reader on the audio book book a British accent really fit and makes it interesting change of pace still of James Marsters I cannot wait until the next book in the series simply the best

Yet another awesome book by Jim Butcher

I love this book like I've loved all his other books. A great story with great characters, all wonderfully depicted by this narrator. I'm waiting impatiently for another one!

Jim Does It Again

Such a wonderful addition to the epic legacy of Jim Butcher. engaging stroy, excellent characters, and I can not wait for the next one.

I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy character development and unique world building. I would give this a high school reading level because of some words and complex sentence structures. (all of which are awesome)